Ireland is made up of 32 counties, each with their own unique rich history, attractions and traditions. One of Ireland’s most famed counties is County Down. Known across the world for its stunning mountain ranges, its wealth of filming locations used in Game of Thrones, the final resting place of St Patrick, and home to the largest sea loch in the world, visitors to Ireland could easily find everything they need for their Emerald Isle adventure in this one county. But beyond the world-famous attractions, there are also plenty of locations and experiences to discover in County Down that lie beyond the beaten path, making this county rife with hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Let’s take a look at some of the attractions in County Down that will show you the real side to this magnificent county.
ballynoe stone circle
what is ballynoe stone circle?
The Republic of Ireland is home to 187 stone circles, with one of the most famous sitting in Ballynoe, County Down. The Neolithic site is made up of 50 stones, arranged in concentric circles, and was believed to have contained ancient burial structures, otherwise known as cists.
the history & folklore of the stone circle
The circle was excavated between 1937 and 1939. During the project, excavators found the remains of at least seven different people, along with some Neolithic pottery. But despite investigations into the landmark, it’s still unknown exactly when the circle was constructed. It is believed that Ballynoe Stone Circle, and others like it, were used for burials, community gatherings, and other religious ceremonies, and some even say that the Stone Circle possesses healing properties, as well as the ability to grant wishes to passers by.
tips for visiting
- Visiting by car: If you’re planning on driving to visit the stone circle, there is a decent-sized car park located just a 10 minute-walk from the site.
- Make the most of the walk: The walk from the car park to the circle takes you through an enchanting lane, wrapped in gorse bushes and trees that form an almost perfect circle above your head.
- Limited on-site facilities: It’s important to note that the Stone Circle itself does not have a visitors centre or any facilities attached to it. It does, however, have a series of well-written notice boards explaining the history of the stones for those that wish to find out more.
dundrum castle
history and location
With an Irish name that roughy translates to ‘fort on the ridge’, Dundrum Castle sits proudly over the town of Dundrum, and offers visitors sweeping views over the valley and surrounding regions. This 13th century castle was initially constructed by John de Courcy, following his successful invasion of Ulster, and was used as a military stronghold to control access into the region.
things to look out for in the castle
Whilst there is plenty to explore in the castle grounds, we’d recommend looking out for these features in particular:
- The large, circular keep: This classic feature of Norman architecture was added by Hugh de Lacy in 1210 in order to strengthen the castle and protect it from military invasion.
- The stunning views: Because of its strategic, elevated position, you can get incredible views from the castle walls of the village, the wider valley, as well as the mountains and the bay.
- The spiral stone staircase: This original feature gives visitors a glimpse of how this castle would have looked in its hey-day. Reaching over three storeys high, visitors can still climb this staircase today and be rewarded with incredible views over the valley.
tips for visiting
- Visiting by car? There is onsite parking available at the castle.
- Entrance fee and tickets: Entrance to the castle grounds is completely free
- On-site facilities: Whilst there aren’t a wealth of on-site facilities, there are plenty of signs documenting the castle’s history and explaining the significance of many of the architectural features.
montalto estate
what is the montalto estate?
Having opened its doors to the public only in 2009, the Montalto Estate has previously been used as a private family home and a luxury event venue. From just a quick visit, it’s clear to see why the family are so eager to share this 400 acre estate with the world. With breathtaking scenery around every corner, a visit to Montalto Estate is essential to any County Down adventure.
estate highlights
Be sure to pay a visit to these highlights during your visit to Montalto Estate:
- The formal garden: The estate has an array of impressive gardens, but the formal garden is widely regarded as the crown jewel. With eye-catching geometric shapes, this garden is where lush Irish nature meets perfectly manicured horticulture. From here, you can also enjoy views of the lake and the boathouse too.
- Battle site: Visitors might be surprised to learn that this majestic country estate once played host to a historic Irish battle. The battle of Ballynahinch took place on the estate grounds during the Irish rebellion of 1798 between British forces and United Irishmen. Visitors today can explore the battleground, and see the commemorative landmarks installed to remember the lives lost.
tips for visiting
- Give yourself time: Whilst you can explore the highlights of the estate in less than two hours, you might want to dedicate a morning, afternoon, or even the whole day in order to see the estate at its best.
- Enjoy a walk through the grounds: There are different trails you can take throughout the estate, taking you to various landmarks. These trails vary in difficulty, and take no longer than an hour to complete.
- Bring the right footwear: You’ll want to bring suitable footwear for a walk, as the grounds can get quite muddy after rainfall.
tracey’s farmhouse kitchen
what is tracey’s farmhouse kitchen?
For an authentic slice of traditional County Down cooking, look no further than Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen. Run by a husband and wife team, the Farmhouse Kitchen offers visitors a warm and welcoming experience to Irish home cooking in the heart of Ballymorran Bay. As well as cooking classes, the couple also offer water experiences on the nearby lough too.
experiences on offer
The couple offer a range of different experiences in the Farmhouse Kitchen, such as:
- Traditional Irish bread making: It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get in the kitchen to make some buttermilk soda bannock. Tracey will walk you through her recipe step by step, using traditional ingredients and preparation methods.
- Watersports: Making the most of the nearby loch, Tracey’s husband offers a range of watersports activities, such as canoeing, paddleboarding and sup’ping.
- A bit of both: The Farmhouse Kitchen also offers a range of outdoor experiences followed by delicious home made cooking, such as paddle and pizza, sup and soda, canoe and cake. A perfect way to spend an afternoon in County Down!
tips for visiting
- Book your experience in advance: Because of the bespoke nature of the experiences, the team at the Farmhouse do need advance warning of any cookery and watersport sessions.
- Allergies or intolerances: Simply let the team know if you have any allergies or intolerances, and Tracey can factor this into your unique experience.
- Ingredients and watersport equipment: From cookery ingredients to wetsuits, everything you need for your experience can be hired from the Farmhouse facilities.
strangford lough
what is strangford lough?
This sea lough is the largest inlet in Ireland, as is widely regarded as an essential place to visit on your journey through County Down. The lough is one of the only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom, as well as being a UNESCO Global Geopark, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.
nature & wildlife
Strangford Lough is home to over 2,000 different species of marine animals and plant species, many of which are completely unique to the area. As you explore the lough, keep an eye out for common and grey seals, porpoises, arctic terns and otters. If you step away from the lough edge and venture into the surrounding forest, you’ll also be able to see red squirrels too.
what to do at strangford lough
With such a vast expanse of sea lough to explore, here are the activities we’d recommend to make the most of the experience:
- Take a walk: Around the lough you’ll find a network of different routes and footpaths for all different abilities. For those looking to make the most of the sea views in particular, we’d recommend the Kearney Coastal Path.
- Take a boat trip: With over 120 nearby islands to explore, the Pembrokeshire coast is the perfect place to spend the afternoon on a locally-run boat trip, exploring the coastline from a different perspective.
- Drive around the lough: This linear route takes about an hour and a half to complete, and gives you some stunning scenery as you drive along this iconic part of the Irish coastline.
tyrella beach
introductory description
Sat within Dundrum Bay, Tyrella Beach is an award-winning, 2km long beach with a whopping 25 hectares of mature dunes behind it. This Blue Flag beach is the perfect place to enjoy a quick dip or paddle whilst you enjoy the stunning views of the mountains of Mourne in the background.
highlights to look out for in the nearby area
With so much to do on Tyrella Beach and the surrounding area, here’s what we’d recommend adding to your County Down itinerary:
- Great birdwatching: Because of the large dunes, it plays host to a vast range of local flora and fauna, including birds like oystercatchers, sanderlings and redshanks.
- A walk to St Johns Point Lighthouse: Located right at the eastern point of the bay, this black and yellow striped lighthouse is hard to miss, and makes a great waypoint as you walk across the bay.
- The Maghera Inn: Sat just 20 minutes drive away from Tyrella beach, this cosy Irish pub is the perfect place to sink a pint of Guinness after a day spent exploring the Irish coastline.
tips for visiting
- The beach is a car free zone: In order to protect the conservation areas in the dunes, visitors will have to park off the beach in the designated car parks.
- Parking: There is a car parking charge of £4 per ticket during summer and bathing season.
As well as its world-famous landmarks, there really is so much to explore throughout the thriving region of County Down.
If you’re ready to see the authentic side of this incredible county, get in touch with the Celtic Routes team to receive a personalised itinerary showing you the hidden gems of County Down and beyond.
